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As religious ministers and lay people across America protest President Obama’s abortion drugs mandate, on Friday the life-affirming movie “Doonby,” starring John Schneider, opens in Dallas, Texas, and Chattanooga, Tenn., with high praise from a Vatican official and other Christian leaders.

In its Feb. 12 edition, L’Osservatore Romano, the semi-official newspaper of the Holy See that typically focuses on official church and papal affairs, included a most unusual feature: a glowing review of “Doonby.”

Father Gianfranco Grieco, O.F.M. Conv., office head of the Pontifical Council for the Family, declared that “Doonby” is a “moving and thought-provoking psychological thriller on many levels with a haunting finale that will linger in your mind and obsess your consciousness as you tackle a puzzle that will challenge each and every perception or conviction while you experience forlorn feelings of speechlessness and shock, but ultimately of liberation!”

Last summer, Peter Mackenzie, the Catholic writer and director of “Doonby,” screened “Doonby” for officials of the pontifical council.

Mackenzie told WND, “I am delighted to have such high praise from Father Grieco in L’Osservatore Romano. Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d have such recognition and endorsement from the Vatican. It’s quite humbling.”

Recognition by the Pontifical Council for the Family is especially fitting for Mackenzie since he made the film with his sons Mike, a producer, and Dan, a cameraman and editor. [More]